Suspect's sister says her brother was not involved in prostitution ring

Two adults arrested in connection to a prostitution ring operated out of a local hotel remained behind bars Thursday, but one suspect’s family member says her brother is innocent.

Lubbock police in an undercover sting operation arrested Megan Lee Norman, 18, and a 16-year-old female Wednesday afternoon at the Overton Hotel at 2320 Mac Davis Lane. A third suspect linked to the investigation, 24-year-old Chanze Lamount Pringler, was arrested at a traffic stop in the 100 block of Zenith Ave.

Norman and Pringler were booked into the Lubbock County Jail on multiple prostitution-related charges while the 16-year-old was taken to the Lubbock County Juvenile Justice Center.

Sgt. Jonathan Stewart said investigators had enough evidence to arrest the three individuals and are not looking for additional suspects at this point.

“My brother is devastated,” said Litisha Pringler, the 24-year-old’s older sister. “He didn’t even know it (prostitution) was going on.”

She named Norman as the person responsible for the online advertisements and for getting other girls and Pringler involved. Her brother, Litisha said, had only purchased the hotel room for Norman, a former girlfriend, who needed a place to live.

Pringler faces three felony charges of compelling prostitution, aggravated promotion of prostitution and tampering with evidence, as well as four misdemeanor offences of resisting arrest, fleeing a police officer, possession of marijuana and violation of promise to appear.

Bail information was not available Thursday evening.

Norman faces $31,000 in total bail for felony charges of compelling prostitution and aggravated promotion of prostitution and a Class B misdemeanor prostitution charge.